Point to Pinnacle 2013

[The Beast of Bevendean]

I too am intrigued by this new technique. I may have misunderstood, but it seems to owe something to Max Wall, or perhaps Chuck Berry

[Sweder]

I too am intrigued by this new technique. I may have misunderstood, but it seems to owe something to Max Wall, or perhaps Chuck Berry

Oddly enough I referenced Mr Wall in my 2011 report. It seems the conditions are such that one must adopt a ludicrous stance to finish. Unless you're a mountain lion, or a whippet.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Great report again Sweder - after reading that I feel as if I was there!




Oh, hang on ...

[Sweder]

Up with the larks this morning. After a moment wallowing in the warm bed, recalling our delicious supper of thick steaks, spicy snags and Sweder's signature coleslaw washed down with a fine bottle of 42 Degrees South and another of Zeppelin (with a number of fine cheeses) I chucked on my running gear and took off into the hills.

Four sweaty miles in testing suburban undulations followed by twenty minutes stretchercise on the front porch. Talking Heads provided the workout tunes as I bounced and high-stepped back and forth on the rose-clad veranda. Some poor old dear out with her dogs stood, mouth agape, as I cavorted in my vermillion running top and Lewes FC shorts. She'll be Ok in a day or two.

Up on top of Mount Stewart I'd left the road, following a slick trail into the woods. Road shoes are ill-advised in slippery conditions. I picked my way gingerly through the twisted gum trees. A head popped up out of a nearby shrub, black eyes shining in a woolly grey mask. Before I could think 'camera' the beast hopped effortlessly away, front paws tucked neatly onto its chest, thick tail held aloft as if to counsel against pursuit. Others joined it. There must have been four or five, about the size of small Greyhounds, within ten feet of me.

On the way home I upped the ante, seranaded by ACDC and those cheeky chappies from Motörhead, offering one of my all-time favourite rock 'n' roll tunes. Jim and the boys got me up the endless climb that is Warwick Avenue. Mr Mojo Risin' indeed. Cracking stuff.

[Sweder]

News of the great Plodder's return to the streets has warmed the cockles here, and boy do they need warming.

Tasmania was kind to us, plenty of sunshine and cool breezes, terrific food and fabulous vistas, not to mention great company. Sydney by contrast is under siege, suffering airport closures, marshal law, riots in the streets, all for a bit of light drizzle. Graham steered us calmly through the storm. We are, as ever, deeply in his debt. Things were getting ugly at the airport as baggage accrued on the flooded tarmac. Locals were restless and the line for train tickets was threatening a conga to make Sangatte look like a cubs' picnic. G slipped away to purchase tickets before the resumption of baggage delivery and we made our dash for freedom before the real blood-letting started.

We've just waved goodbye to Suzie. Our shining Maple is heading home having conquered the mountain and added hugely to our merry band. My gratitude to Graham and Jane knows no bounds. Their hospitality has been unstintingly generous. We have dined like Kings and travelled like explorers, discovering the impressive flora and fauna of Tasmania in all its rugged glory.

   

Sadly the fun must end. I spent some time trying to cram my belongings into two unfeasibly small travel bags, a task almost as daunting as that facing England's cricketers after yesterday's tame surrender. I'm heading to Melbourne via Newcastle, to visit recent exile Soft Al and his family, before starting on the World Diabetes Congress. The thought of working cheek by jowl with a bunch of hardened Aussies as our boys are torn assunder fills me with dread.

Beyond the immediate horizon lies the Moyleman.
Hard work ahead.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Hard work indeed! The Moyleman sounds entirely in another league again. The P2P in that sense was a handy training run for you, I'm sure.

It has been fantastic fun having you and Suzie here for the race, and the week we shared has regrettably gone in a flash. Onwards then to the next shared event, whatever and wherever it may be - this is what it's about my friend. On on!